NCJ Number
81517
Date Published
1981
Length
37 pages
Annotation
Equations of a model designed to allocate a fixed number of Illinois State Police officers to districts throughout the State are presented.
Abstract
The model is based on assignment of manpower to three functions: administration (overhead), handling calls for service, and patrolling as a deterrent to crime and traffic law violations. The allocation of officers to districts is done by computing the needs for each county and combining these counties into districts. With the use of computing equipment, the managerial options, such as precentage of calls placed in queue, the percentage of officers assigned to various patrols, and response time, can be varied and different allocations produced. This gives the manager the opportunity to examine allocation results before taking actions. The model is not limited to an allocation of a fixed strength. Personnel requirements can be projected. When the model is used for projection, the miles of patrol on each type of highway and the number of persons in rural areas per police officer are set by the user instead of being solved mathematically. Thus, the number of officers needed to handle calls for service, the number required for policing and patrol, and the total allocated vary according to the parameters used. A total of those computed for each of the three categories then becomes the projected number of officers required to satisfy a managerial philosophy. While the number of equations and variables used preclude accurate and rapid computations with a desk-top calculator, the model is readily adaptable to small computers. A sample of the output from the version programmed for the computers at the Department of Law Enforcement is appended. This version works with an authorized strength of 1,600 officers. The mathematical formulas for allocating officers are also appended. Fifteen notes and 22 references are provided. (Author summary modified)